Norwegian biathlon athlete Sivert Guttorm Bakken, a promising talent aiming for the Olympics, has tragically passed away at the age of 27. The International Biathlon Union expressed deep sorrow over Bakken’s sudden death, which occurred during a training camp in Italy.
The athlete was discovered deceased in his lodging at Lavaze in Italy’s Trentino region, as reported by Norwegian TV NRK. Bakken had been dealing with a heart condition known as myocarditis since 2022, prompting him to take a hiatus from competitive biathlon.
Bakken, a standout in the sport, held the European title for the 10-kilometer sprint and two relay events. He was gearing up to participate in the upcoming Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. His impressive track record included four World Cup triumphs and securing the season-long mass start discipline championship in 2021-22.
Expressing profound shock and grief, IBU President Olle Dahlin praised Bakken’s remarkable resilience and determination in returning to biathlon following a challenging period. Dahlin emphasized that Bakken’s legacy would endure, with the entire biathlon community mourning his untimely passing. The IBU extended its heartfelt condolences to Bakken’s loved ones, teammates, and the Norwegian biathlon community during this trying period.